Salon des Cent - the end

Yes, I promised you the final pages of my little brown paper bag book. My Salon des Cent - the voyage. It was really fun making because it was the "first" ... yes, the first time I made a little brown paper bag book those many years ago. And I might add--it did spur others to follow: Lizzie Borden (which you have not seen); Marie Antoinette (it was published); Alice in Wonderland (it was rejected); and others waiting inside to be created....the one in particular waiting is the "first witch of Salem." These started out as a series of "misunderstood" women and along the way I was sidetracked. But these are the kind of little brown bags that know no deadline.

The final two pages are simple. Splatter paint on both sides. On left, add a page of an old book (I used a paperback of MacLaine's Out on a Limb with its fascinating quotes....as backgrounds are great). Stamp "Dear Diary" and then uesed one of my favorite Oscar Wilde quotes, "I never travel without my diary. One should always have something SENSATIONAL to read in the train." Inkadinkado makes this stamp.

On the opposite side, I used a vellum die cut from Paperbilities. Loved these 15 die cuts - which of course are not made anymore..... Added a book page behind and also used a little bit of felt tip pens on the back to give a hint of color.

You have seen the tag.

I am very happy they sent this back to me even though they held on to it for a very long time. I have no complaints and would still encourage everyone who wants to - to submit your art work. I (laugh) when I say it was "rejected" - that is not true. It was not what the publishers were looking for at that point in time (most of the time this is true).However, I believe this little book got caught in a change over of editors and was stuck behind something since nothing from that "challenge" was ever featured or published or referred to again.

I have been working hard on "office work" this weekend since I took my Thursday snow day BUT I also got a new little red machine in the mail. I have resisted buying this one since it came out - but i caved in... The little Binderie and I have fallen in love with each other this weekend. And besides work I have really had fun creating and making! WOW, what a concept, huh? OK, as you know I haven't been doing this lately, but it is coming back.

I am using items sent to me by one of my best buds and who knows this little book may be sent back to her - a new concept in "Regifting" - don't you think? LOL

Love this image from an old book and, of course had to use it after I sewed some lace on the page.

Marie is always good with a little ear piece added in the appropriate "black" along with feathers!

And, of course I always have to have my stuff hanging out with me since I just don't know what I might "grab" to glue on a page,

Headed over to Larcy's in a bit for dinner - will get to see my nephew pup Oliver! So will close this out. You all have a good evening!

Soul Paintings

Two more pages this evening from the Salon des Cent paper bag book and this time we will start with the tag which uses one of my favorite stamps, "Soul paintings," from Limited Edition.

The "Soul paintings:" was stamped on a transparency and then rub-on butterfly wings were applied. The background paper is once again from the Lynnne Perrella Somerset Artist Papers from Stampington and Company. Yes, her collection is one of the best in the line of papers.

The next two pages are what I call "simple" ones.

Paint on the brown paper bag, grab a transparency, stamp quote and add two blue star eyelets. Easy Peasy!

This stamp is in a collection from Stampin' Up called sketches (i think!). At one point I had stamped a number of this one image onto watercolor paper, watercolored them, and set them aside. When working on this book, I found them and used the image....  if you remember when we started this book, this challenge was to use all of your left over things - nothing was bought to go into this creation - all items were just sitting around ready to be plucked.

We have two more pages and one tag left in this book and will try to share them with you tomorrow.

I did see my surgeon today who did the operation last Wednesday and she let me go and it will be three months before I come back to see her.  Whoop! Have a great evening, I am sitting here watching the Australia Open waiting for Ghost Hunters International.

Waiting for Dinner to Cook

Almost back to normal, my honeysuckle peeps, almost. Will head back to work tomorrow. This surgery was a breeze compared to the first one. As mentioned in my post from the other day, she got it all! Hooray, hooray, hooray. While waiting in the OR waiting room I spied this contraction and tried to find my TV channels.

Yes, I was starving and kept trying to find Top Chef to no avail. But following surgery I did have my standby: Popeye's Chicken. And now back to our Salon des Cent Paper bag book. We are up to Pages 9 and 10. Here is the tag that was used with this page.... once again one of my all time favorite stamps from The Queen's Ink and a rub-on from Recollections line that Michael's use to have.

Page 9 had an aquarium photo transparency and on top I used a stamp from Stampington & Co. called "Angel & Swan." It was colored with pencils and encaustic wax. Applied a computer generated verse for the "Shepherd of the Blue Infinity."

Page 10 was very simple. Sometimes simple is the best. This piece is literally just a collage paper from the Lynne Perrella Somerset Artist Papers with a few "pearls" from the sea added for dimension.

And on that note, boys and girls, let us all put on our dancing shoes for a happy dance! Yes, we are gonna dance as if nobody is a watchin' us! Go for my Snoopys! Go for it!  See you later. I am going to try to load my posts to Facebook on here. One thing I have learned is that when one starts to post on Facebook, posts on their blogs begin to number less.  Yes, I am also proof of this urban legend!  So let's see if I can keep you all updated on my actives via Facebook. Hugs to all.....

Count down to Christmas. . . .

And are we having fun yet? Seemed today was one of those running around days and you never ever think will come to an end. Started out really early going to the grocery shop! Check-off list.

Got to the office to exchange Christmas gifts with friends! Check-off list.

Had lunch at Subway. Check-off list.

Managed to get over to my friend the trainer, James, and my other friend the trainer, Mary, their Christmas gifts. He demands to see me tomorrow at 9:00 am for cardio on the bike. Ugh. Check-off list.

OH my, and then the fun began. An appointment for an echo-cardiogram at my cardiologist's is not fun to get to on a Good Day - let alone on December 23 when you have to travel through roads under construction (bringing subway out our way) in an area called Tyson's Corner - two big malls, movies, Tiffany's, hotels, congestion on a good day. Barely made it to the doctor's office but I did call and warn them I was sitting on Highway 7 stopped for no apparent reason (she laughed and said two days before Xmas and you have to go down 7?) and would most likely be late for my appointment. Got to their office's and we had a jam-up in the parking garage. OH my. But all is good with the heart, they say it is very strong.

Yesterday I did manage to create a notebook for my friend Mary and took it to her today. It was really fun to do for one of her Christmas gifts and was just a simple $1.00 composition notebook as we all know and love. Used a "sea" theme cover stock to begin with since she is from Florida and then began layering:


I need to get color ink for my Epson printer and tried to print out one of my computer clip art - came out purple/pink. Yuck. So it drove me into my printed stash and I love this ArtChix image which I have had for years. Helga's clip art is luscious and I am so happy she also has downloads and on top of that I used a 7Gypsies Document 5 Transparency below the image:


And now before I run down to fix dinner, my honeysuckle peeps, I want to share with you pages 3 and 4, of the "Thanks but No Thanks" Stampington reject brown paper bag book called "The Voyage"..... (see yesterday's post) -- Bahama Beach and Toilers of the Sea:

Pages 3-4: Paint and distress. Stamp various background stamps. Apply ephemera using old clothing tab and pages from an old book. (I so love this Lynne Perella paper from Stampington)

Second “pull out” tag: Front side: Stamp face (A Stamp in the Hand) on cover stock. Glue on a transparency. Apply page from old book. Stamp dapper men (Paper Artsy) on collage paper. Apply a decorative slide.

Been a busy day and so must run. Am working on the cross stitch apron for Larcy and her beloved cupcakes! Take care, stay safe and warm this evening. All is going well in my Honeysuckle Breeze! Hugs to all.

Yes, the Twinkle is Back

Yes, as Patty told me the other day, seems the twinkle is back and it is. Been getting a lot of things "checked-off" my to do list including finally making home made minestrone soup.... and it was pretty darn good if I say so myself!

Promised you I would show you the little brown paper bag book that was finally returned to me by Stampington after 3 1/2 years - July 2007 to be precise submitted for an "Odds & End" Challenge in Take Ten.

(Lesson One: I have learned over the years with Stampington - when editors change - take a deep breath and wait for your submission to be returned eventually; Lesson Two: If you give them return postage, they do eventually return it).) To be totally fair to Stampington, because of an editor change, they really did not know (as they said in the form letter) if this work had been published or not. So here is a little bit of "The Voyage" - with instructions! LOL

Please note: No items were bought to make this book - "Odds & Ends" - what I call using up the stash!

Salon des Cent—The voyage . . .
5 ½” x 5 ¼”

Take four brown paper lunch bags and fold in half. Punch and secure with a Rubicoil. Distress all pages with acrylic paints, and various background stamps. Do not forget to do the same with the inside folds of the paper bags. The majority of left over paper used for this project is from the Somerset Artist Papers by Lynne Perrella. There are four pull out pages ( 5” x 4.75”) cut from cover stock. Cover: Distress page with paint, general background stamps, and walnut inks. Stamp woman (All Night Media) and watercolor. Add rub-ons, attach starfish with adhesive, and keyhole brad..

First “pull out” tag: Front side: Distress and paint. Apply various papers in collage fashion. Stamp quote on paint chip sample (Stampers Anonymous).

Page 1-2: (left side): Paint, distress, and rub on. Use clip art and a die cut slide from sand paper. (right side):

(right side): Stamp sun (Rubber Stampede) on cover stock and distress. Add college paper.

Those are the first few pages for today..... Yes, there are more which you will see. Changing the subject, yesterday I FINALLY finished the cross stitch I have been working on since September (just a small confessional - if I had not had those two surgeries and cross-stitched my little heart out while recovering - this might not have been finished in time for Christmas - yes this is a gift). I found this over at The Stitchery.... why would I think it would be quick? (I always do)...

Found the perfect candle over at The Yankee Candle Store:

And the back:

And the next cross-stitch project as a Christmas gift - OK, OK, it is not getting done by the 25th but she knows it is coming:

Need to get a few things done today but before I go - Remember as you wander through life today, miracles do happen. Your prayers, thoughts, and love, keep me going and please keep the coming. I visited the Chemo doctor yesterday for a prescription - no chemo needed, thank you very much, and a copy of my Oncotype DX test:

Yes, the doctor said it is the best score you can get - but I say it is based on statistics and I still need your prayers while I walk through my next surgery Jan. 12, and then radiation. Love you and remember, Think Pink! And to those of you out there also diagnosed with this disease - you are in my thoughts and prayers and I hold you close to my heart and soul.

And then Alice was "Lost"

Here is your final edition in the saga of Alice - A Cautionary Tale..... On the photo above you can see the "tab" titles (on the back-side) that were used from 7 Gypsies Rub-Ons: "For Sale," "A True Story," "Chocking Hazard" (you gotta watch out for them bunny bones kind of like fish bones...sorry a little sick I know but couldn't resist), and "Proof." It was a really fun project to work on!

Not much more to say as we fold the book closed. I'm so happy all of you have enjoyed the journey with me and Alice. I appreciated your comments very very much. Let's just hope our lost child will once again find her way out of the rabbit hole and home.


Obviously the "waldo" rabbit did - you will note that on neither of the last two pages is he around .... he doesn't have to run away anymore. I know there is a moral here but not going there.

Do tell. * wink *